Labeling-machine.



LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29,1914.

Patented June 19, 1917;

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK O. WOODLAND, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS; FRANCES S. WOODLAND, OF

WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, AND ARTHUR F. KELLEY, OF GRAFTON, MASSACHU- SETTS, ADMINISTRATORS 0F SAID FRANK O. WOODLAND, DECEASED, ASSIGNORS TO ECONOMIC MACHINERY COMPANY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS'A CORPORA- TION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

LABELING-MACHIN E.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 19, 1917.

Application filed July 29, 1914. Serial No. 853,821.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK O. lVoonLANn, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vorcester, in the county of lVorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Labeling-Machines, of which the following is a specifica tion, reference being made therein to the ac companying drawings.

My present invention relates more especially to'wiper-mechanism or means for affixing the labels to bottles or other containers, or articles which are labeled in like manner, and to the combination of such wiper-mechanism with other operating parts of a labeling machine; the prime objects being to pro vide a wiper-mechanism adapted for con tinuously running high speed labeling machinery, and for moving' or advancing the wiper means in the same direction as theadvance of the bottle or article, during the wiping-on operation; but at different speed or relatively less velocity, thereby affording a differential rate of movement at which the actual wiping-on of the label is effected at comparatively low speed of the adjacently contacting surfaces acting against each.

other.

Another object is to provide, in a labeling machine having a rotating carrier adapted for advancing bottles or the like in a circular path, and means for gluing and delivering labels for afixment to said bottles or the like, a wiper-supporter carrying wiper.

means that moves 21(l]ELCBIlt to the path of the bottles and effects wiping on of the labels while moving with the bottle, hereinafter explained.

Another object is to provide, in a labeling machine having a rotating table or carrierupon which bottles or the like are carried forward while being labeled, an oscillatable 3viper-supporting element having its axis coincident withthe aXis of said rotating carrier, wiping devices mountedthereon, and means for imparting forward and backward oscillation differentially concurrent with the passage of a bottle upon said carrier.

Another object is to provide, in a machine for the purpose specified, a backwardly and forwardly moving wiper-supporter carrying wiper means that travels along the path of the advancing bottles, and including indeas more fully pendently variable wiper holding devices and wiper members, between which the bottles pass; means for differentially moving said wiper-supporter concurrent with the advance of the successive bottles, and means for controlling the variable wiper-holding devices or wiper members while wiping on the labels.

I attain these objects by mechanism the nature, construction and mode of operation of which is explained in the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings; the particular subject matter claimed being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents an elevation view of such parts of a labeling machine, for bottles or the like, as will illustrate the nature and preferred embodiment of my present invention. Fig. 2 represents a sectional plan View of the same, taken below the driving gearing; the location of some of the previously-known parts being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 3 represents a separate side view of one neck-label wiper as arranged to have. forward and lateral movements while acting upon the labels, and Fig. 4 represents a plan diagram illustrat ing, approximately, the combined relative movements of the advancing bottle and forwardly moving wiper mechanism while wiping on the label, and traveling in the same general direction at differential speed. The wiper means is shown at three separate posi tions in its movement, viz; as at the start; in full action, and at the finish. The radial lines indicate the relative distances traveled by the bottle and by the wiper-means, respectively, in the same moment of time.

My present invention is illustrated in the drawings, as applied to labeling machines of the character described in my previously granted. Letters Patent, Nos. 1,113,854 and 1,133,602; said machines including a moving or rotatable carrier 12 provided near its periphery, at regular intervals, with means 14 for supporting bottles or the like in upright position and advancing thesame in successive order by the movement of the carrier. The carrier, as shown, is provided with a long upwardly projecting hubll and is revoluble about a central axis shaft 1 supported by a suitable column or frame 10;

'grip.

' the gluesupply;

x labeled, from a conveyer the upper end. of the hub having a gearwheel 2 fixed thereon that meshes with a pinion. 3 fixed upon an operating shaft 5, to which latter power may be applied in any suitable manner.

Numeral indicates the label supply holder for containing the pack, or packs, of labels L and Z; and 16 the picker carrier to which are attached the glue-applying pickers 6 that are moved to the label holder 15 to take individual labels from the bottom of the pack, or packs and then to a position for meeting the advancing bottle and presenting the label, or labels, across the face thereof. Numeral 7 indicates grip devices for clamping the presented label at position and temporarily retaining the same while the pickers back off in the general direction of the bottle movement, thereby stripping the label. from the pickers and carrying it forward centrally clamped to the bottle and with ends projecting at either side of the 8 indicates the means for operating 18 indicates the location of 19 the delivery roll; and 20 the transfer-roll for placing glue upon the faces of the pickers 6, the action of said glue supplying means being similar to that heretofore employed.

The term glue as used in this specification, is intended to include paste, gum, mucilage, or any other adhesive substance suitable for employment in machines of this class. The term bottle or the like is inthe grip-devices.

tended to include bottles, metal containers,

or other article that may be labeled in the manner herein described.

Numeral 42 indicates means for automatically feeding the bottles or articles to be 31 onto the moving carrier 12 in proper successive order; suitable fenders l5 and M3 being arranged adjacently above the carrier, defining the path in which the bottles are to move as they are received upon and discharged from the carrier; and and indicate means for dis charging or conducting the labeled bottles away from the carrier. Suitable mechanism for the purpose of automatic feed and discharge is set forth in detail in my previous Letters Patent hereinbefore referred to.

According to my present invention I construct and arrange the wiper mechanism, or means for smoothing down or affixing the labels upon the bottles or articles, in such manner that said wiper mechanism has a forward and backward bodily movement, traveling forward together with the advancing bottle. but at different speed, while the lables are being wiped on by an action due to the differential in movement between the speed of the carrier and the somewhat lesser speed of the moving wiper means; then moving backward to primal position for taking action upon the next succeeding bottle or article as it is brought forward by the carrier. and so on in continuous order of repeated action; the forward and backward movement being synchronous with the passing of the bottles, but preferably timed to give a comparatively moderate forward movementand a quicker return or backward movement.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the wiper-supporter consists of a lever or arm having a bearing upon, and surrounding the upwardly projecting hub 11 of the carrier 12, conveniently below the gear 2; said arm being oscillatable about an axis coincident with the axis of the rotating carrier. advancing bottles, and has connected there with the right and left neck-wipers 26 and 27; also when desired, the body-label wipers 28 and 29 preferably as shown; the opposite wipers being located for the passing of the bottles between them as the carrier advances the same in continual successive order. Forward and liiackward oscillative movement is imparted to the wiper-supporting element by a cam 30 mounted upon and rotating with the operating shaft 5; a swinging lever 22 fulerumed at 23 upon a stationary part of the frame, and having a stud roll A that engages with the groove or working surface of the cam 30, and a pivotally connected link uniting the end of lever '22 with a pro jecting lugthat forms a part of the arm.

A track or guide-way 36 is preferably attached to the machine frame and. serves for upholding the outer end of the arm as it slides forward and bac thereon.

The wipersupporter or arm "25 is best provided with rigid depending members :21 having wiper seating surfaces upon which the l'iody-label wipers 28 and 29 are secured, but in some instances the body-label wipers can be made variable in substantially the same manner as here described for the necklabel wipers. The neck-wiper members 26 and 27 are respectively secured, in right and left positions, to suitably shaped levers or holders 37 and 88 that are pivotally mounted upon the oscillating arm 25 to have a swinging action in addition to and distinct from the motion of said arm. holders are furnished with means for engagement with cam surfaces or guides 39 secured to the frame and. extending along the path traveled by the arm and wiper-holders; said cam surfaces being shaped to impart a variable movement of the desired quality for closing inward or otherwise varying the position or trend of the wiper members while moving forward with the advancing bottles and performing the wiping action.

These wiper-holding devices 37 or 38 may be made of any approved shape to suit the requirements of different shapes of bottles or labels, and their fulcrum pivots can be either in vertical, horizontal or inclined p0 The arm extends over the path of the The wiper sit-ion in relation to the plane in which the arm 25 swings, or so as to accommodate the particular direction of variable action that may, in any instance, be best suited to the style of labels used; some styles requiring an inward movement of the wipers, While other styles require a downward, an upward, or an obliquely directed wipe and correspondi ng variation in the trend of the wipers while the wiping-on operation is being performed. The pair, or pairs, of oppositely disposed wipers can, when desired, be of similar form and movement; or in other instances the wipers may be of dissimilar shape and dif ferently directed variable movement. As shown in Fig. 1, the wiper holder 37 at the left is arranged with a vertical pivot, and to have its variable movement toward and from the axis of the bottle, as for laying the end of a label behind the neck of a bottle, while the wiper-holder 38 at the right is arranged to give a downwardly varying wipe, it being horizontally pivoted to the supporter at its lower rear corner and its upper projecting member being connected by a link 9 to the lever 27 that is carried upon the oscillating arm 25 by a vertical pivot.

In some instances the neck wipers only are mounted upon the swinging arm or supporter 25, the body-label wipers being on stationary supports as heretofore employed.

Since the accompanying drawings do not show in full detail all the parts necessary for a complete labeling machine, it will be understood that such portions as are not here shown and described, may be constructed and arranged to operate substantially in the manner as heretofore employed, or described in my previous applications for Letters Patent above referred to, or in any other approved suitable manner; as my present invention involves the idea of a dif ferentially acting wiper mechanism and the combination thereof in a labeling machine.

In the operation, the bottles or articles to be labeled pass from the feed-way onto the continuously moving carrier 12, automatically by the devices at 42, and are pushed forward in successive order by the supportings rests 14, in a circular path as the carrier revolves. The pickers 6, after being gluecoated upon their faces by the glue-transfer roll 20, take the label or labels from the label holder 15 and move to meet the advancing bottle, presenting the label thereto at the position (Z where it is clamped to the bottle by the grip-device 7 while the pickers retreat at a somewhat greater speed than the bottle is moving, thereby stripping the label or labels from the face of the pickers while the carrier advances the bottle toward the wipers; which latter are moved by the wiper-supporter 25 to meet the bottle at a predetermined position, and are then immediately moved forward along the path of the bottle by the action of said wiper supporter as controlled by the cam30. The wipers travel forward together with the advancing bottle, but at somewhat lessspeed, so that when the wiper supporter or arm 25 has reached the limit of its forward sweep or movement (indicated by the dotted line E on Fig. 2) the bottle has passed between the wipers and the label or labels being thus smoothly afliXed thereto by a wiping contact, the speed of which corresponds to the differential in motion between the movement speed at which the bottle is carried and the forward movement speed of the wiper-mechanism. When the bottle has passed the wipers the latter immediately swing back to their primal position for engaging with the next succeeding bottle and the operation is repeated in respect thereto. With the pivoted wiper-holding devices 37 and 38, as the supporter arm 25 moves forward, their stud rolls running in the guides 39 cause the wiper members 26 and 27 to vary their relation or move inward for lapping the ends of the labels at the back of the bottle; or togive a downward or upward trend to the wipe according to the form of wiper-holder used in any particular instance.

By my invention herein described, a comparatively slow wiping contact is attained compared to the actual running speed of the machine; thus rendering it possible to greatly increase the operating capacity, efficiency and output of product in machines of this class, by the employment of a wipersupporter moving adjacent to or parallel with the path of the bottles and actuated to have backward and forward movement for traveling the wiper members with the bottles differentially while wiping on the labels.

I am aware that in practising my invention some changes in the form and construction of the parts may be made by those skilled in the art, without departure from the nature and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the special form and details herein shown. But I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a labeling machine, in combination, means for gluing and presenting labels for aflixment, a moving bottle-carrier having means for supporting and advancing bottles or the like in a predetermined path, and a wiper mechanism including'an actuated set of oppositely pressing wiper members between which the advancing bottle is carried, said wiper mechanism being independently movable in the same direction with the bottle, but at different speed while wiping on the labels.

. 2. In a labeling machine, a continuously moving bottle carrier, means for automatically supplying bottles to said carrier, means for delivering labels to the bottles thereon, a

forwardly and backwardly moving wiping mcchanisn'i that t*avels with the bottles while wiping-on the labels, and is retracted to meet the succeeding bottle, means for operating said bottle carrier, and means for imparting forward and backward movement to said wiping mechanism in alinement with the movement of the bottle, at different velocity.

3. In a labeling machine, the combination, of a rotary carrier for carrying forward a series of bottles or articles to be labeled, means for gluing and delivering labels thereto, and means for temporarily clamping the label to the bottle or article; an oscillating wiper mechanism having backward and forward. movement along the path of the advancing bottles, its forward movement being in approximately the same direction as the bottle, but at different speed while wiping on the label, and its backward movement being effected during the interval between the successive bottles.

il. In a labeling machine, in combination, a rotary carrier provided at spaced intervals with means for supporting bottles or the like in upright position and advancing the same in a circular path by the movement of the carrier, an upwardly projecting central bearing-sleeve upon said carrier, means for rotating said carrier, an oseillatablc supporter mounted upon said bearing-sleeve, a guiding means for the outer end thereof, said supporter provided with depending members, having wiper-seating surfaces thereon, body-label wipers attached to said depending members and means for actuating said supporter to move the wipers along the path of the carrier while the bottle passes between said wipers.

5. In a label alixing mechanism having means for gluing and presenting labels, the combination of a rotating bottle carrier provi (led with a plurality of bottle-pushing devices thereon, means for rotating said carrier, an oscillating wiper-arrier carrying wiping members and movable approXiinately coincident with the circular path of the bottles upon said bottle-carrier, but at different velocity for effecting a differential wiping action upon the labels during their forward movement, and means for oscillating said wiper-carrier synchronously with the advance of the respective bottles.

6. In a labeling machine, in combination with means for gumming and delivering labels; means for affixing the labels by differential action, comprising a moving bottle carrier, and moving label-allixing wipers that wipe the opposite ends of the label upon a bottle passing between them. said bottle-carrier and the affixing wipers being actuated to travel in the same general direction but at different speeds while said wipers are in. contact with the label.

T. In a labeling machine, the combination of a rotary table with means for carrying forward an upright bottle or article to be labeled, means for gumming and delivering a label. across the path of said bottle or article, means for temporarily clan'iping the label central in position thereon, a wiper-means including right and left wipin g-members between which the bottles pass, and wiper-supporting means adapted for moving the wiper-members in approximately the same direction as the bottle, but at different speed, while wiping on the label.

8. The combination in a labeling machine, of a continuously moving carriermeans adapted for propelling a bottle or the like at a predetermined velocity, and a wiper-means comprising opposite yieldablypressing wipernnembers, and wiper-supporting means adapted to travel in approximately the same direction with the bottle, but at somewhat different velocity, while the bottle passes between the wipers for wiping on the respective ends of the label.

In. a labeling machine, in combination with means for gumming and delivering labels; means for affixing the labels by differential action, including a continuously moving bottle carrier and moving label-affixing wipers between which the bottle is passed; the bottle-carrier and wipers traveling in the same direction at different speeds while said wipers are in contact with the label, means for autontiatically feeding bottles onto said bottle-carrier, and means for conveying the bottles away from said carrier.

10. The combination of a rotary carrier provided at intervals with means for supporting bottles or the like in upright position, and advancing the same in a circular path by movement of the arrier, a projecting central bearing-sleeve for said carrier, a gear thereon, an operating shaft having a pinion for actuating said gear and carrier; a laterally oscillatable arm mounted upon said bearin sleeve, a wiper mechanism carried upon said arm to travel back and forth approximately coincident with the path of the bottles, and means for oscillating said wiper-carrying arm synchronously with the advance of successive bottles.

11.. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of a rotary bottle carrier having an upwardly projecting cen tral hub, a gear fixed thereon, an operating shaft, a pinion mounted on said shaft and meshing with said gear, an oscillatable wiper-carrying arm mounted to swing upon said central. hub, a pair of wiper-holding devices pivotally connected with said wipercarrying arm, wiper members attached to said holding devices, a rotating cam and camactuated connections for oscillating said wipercarrying arm, and means for varying the relation of said wiper-holding devices and Wiper members during the oscillative action of said wiper-carrying arms.

12. In combination with means for gluing and presenting labels, a moving carrier having means thereon for supporting and advancing bottles or the like in successive order, a series of label-gripping devices moving with said carrier, means for operating said grip-devices, a forwardly and backwardly moving wiper mechanism comprising individually swinging right and left wipers, means for operating said wiper mechanism adapted to impart forward movement thereto in the same direction as the carrier movement, but at different speed while wiping on the labels, and backward movement at the interval space between the successive bottles, and means for effecting and controlling the individual swinging action of the several wiper members while affixing the labels.

13. The combination of a rotary carrier provided at intervals with means for supporting bottles or the like in upright position and advancing the same in a circular path by the movement of the carrier, a projecting central bearing-sleeve on said carrier, a gear therefor, an operating shaft having a pinion for actuating said gear and carrier; at laterally oscillatable supporting arm mounted to swing upon said bearing sleeve, wiper mechanism carried upon said arm to travel back and forth approximately coincident with the path of the bottles, variable wiper-members included in said wipermechanism, means coacting therewith for controlling the action of said variablewipermembers, a cam upon said operating shaft, and connecting means for oscillating said wiper-supporter arm from said cam.

14. In a mechanism of the character described, in combination, a carrier means for supporting and advancing bottles or like containers, rotatable about a vertical central axis, means for automatically delivering the bottles or like containers thereto, means for gluing and presenting labels to the successively advancing bottles, a movable wipersupporter disposed above said carrier and oscillative on a common central axis therewith, variable Wiper-holding members movably fulcrumed upon said supporter, wipers fixed on said wiper-holding members, means for controlling the varying action of said wiper-holding members, and means for imparting oscillative action to said wiper-sup porter and adapted for afi'ording a difierential advance movement of the wipers along the path of the advancing bottles.

15. In a labeling machine, in combination, a carrier rotating about an upright central axis and adapted for carrying bottles or the like in a circular path, a plurality of bottle-pushing members fixed at regular i11- comprising a movable tervals upon said carrier, guard fenders adjacently above the carrier defining the entrance and exit course for the bottles, means for automatically feeding bottles or the like individually onto said moving carrier, a label-supply-holder, means for gluing and taking labels singly from said label-supplyholder and presenting the same across the bottle, laterally acting grip-devices that travel with said carrier, means for operatmg said grip-devices, a label-aflixing means wiper-supporting element carrying pivotally attached wipers between which the bottles pass, means for moving forward said wiper-supporting element and wipers in accompaniment with the advancing bottle, means for controlling the pivotally attached wipers, means for retracting the wiper-supporting element and wipers to meet the next succeeding bottle, and means for rotating said carrier.

16. A labeling machine including a rotatable carrier provided with means for supporting and advancing bottles or the like in upright successive order, wipers that effect wiping action on the advancing bottles while passing between them, a wiper-supporting element adapted to have limited forward and backward movement adjacent to thepath of the advancing bottles, a swinging arm therefor fulcrumed about the axis of said rotatable carrier, oppositely disposed variable wiper-holding devicescarried upon said wiper supporting element approximately coincident with the path of the bottles, and means combined with said variable wiper-holding devices for efiecting a predetermined variable Wiping motion thereof as each successive bottle or the like is advanced by said carrier past said wipers.

17. In a labeling machine, in combination, with means for moving forward bottles or the like, and means for gluing and delivering labels for afiixment thereto, an inclependently moving wiper-mechanism-supporter having reciprocative movement along the path in which the bottles travel, and

adapted forcarrying wipers for the opposite sides of the bottle, between which the bottles pass to effect wiping action, variable wiper-holding-devices carried upon said supporter, wiper members attached to said holding-devices, means for moving said wipermechanism back and forth approximately parallel with the movement of the bottle but at different speed, and means for controlling thewariable action of said wiper-holdingdevlces and wipers during their wiping action upon the labels.

18. A labeling machine including a movable carrier provided at intervals with means for supporting and advancing upright-positioned bottles or the like in successive or der along a predetermined path, means for gluing and delivering labels thereto, labelgripping devices mounted upon said carrier for the respective bottles, an independently movable furcated wiper-carrier that straddles the path of the advancing bottles, oppositely disposed inwardly projecting wipers mounted upon the wiper-carrier, and means for moving said wiper-carrier forward with the bottle, but at less speed, and backward at increased speed to meet the succeeding bottle and delivered label, and means for automatically feeding bottles or the like onto said moving carrier, for the purposes set forth. 7

19. In a labeling machine, the combination of a horizontal movable carrier adapted to support on its upper surface the article to be labeled, a label wiping device located above the surface of said carrier, and means for moving said wiping device back and forth in the direction of motion of the adjacent surface of the carrier, the motion of the wiper forward with the article to be labeled being at a lower speed than that of the adjacent surface of the carrier.

20. In a labeling machine, the combination with a rotary table for carrying the articles to be labeled, of a wiping device comprising an arch located at the side of the table, means for moving said arch around with the table through a portion of a revolution in the direction of rotation of the table at a. lower speed than the circumferential speed of the edge of the table, and for moving it back, and a pair of wipers earned by the arch.

21. The combination of a rotary carrier provided at intervals wit-h means for supporting bottles or the like in upright position, and advancii'ig the same in a circular path of movement of the carrier, a projecting central shaft for said carrier, a gear thereon. an operating shaft having a pinion for actuating said gear and carrier; a laterally oscillatable arm mounted upon said shaft. a wiper mechanism carrier upon said arm to travel back and forth approximately coincident with the path of the bottles, and means for oscillating said wiper-carrying arm synchronously with the advance of suecessive bottles.

In combination with means for gluing and presenting labels, a moving carrier having means thereon for supporting and advancing bottles or the like in successive order. a series of label-gripping devices moving with said carrier, means for operating said grip-devices, a forwardly and backwardlv moving wiper mechanism comprising individually moving right and left wipers, means for operating said wiper mechanism five cents each,

adapted to impart forward movement thereto in the same direction as the carrier movement, but at different speed while wiping on the labels, and backward movement at the interval space between the successive bottles, and means for effecting and controlling the imilividual moving action of the several wiper members while atlixing the labels.

28. In a mechanism of the character de scribed, in combination, a carrier means for supporting and advancing bottles or like containers, rotatable about a vertical central axis, means for automatically delivering the bottles or like containers thereto, means for gluing and presenting labels to the successively advancing bottles, a movable wipersupporter disposed above said carrier and oscillative on a common central axis therewith, variable wiper-holding members movably mounted upon said supporter, wipers fixed on said wiper-holding members, means for controlling the varying action of said wiper-holding members, and means for imparting oscillative action to said wiper-supporter and adapted for aifording a differential advance movement of the wipers along the path of the advancing bottles.

In a labeling machine, in combination, a carrier rotating about an upright central axis and adapted for carrying bottles or the like in a circular path, a plurality of bottlepushing members fixed at regular intervals upon said carrier, guard fenders adj acently above the carrier defining the entrance and exit course for the bottles, means for automatically feeding bottles or the like individually onto said moving carrier, a label-supplyholder, means for gluing and taking labels singly from said label-supply-holder and presenting the same across the bottle, grip devices that travel with said carrier, means for operating said grip-devices, a label-affixing means comprising a movable wiper-supporting element carrying movable attached wipers between which the bottles pass, means for moving forward said wiper-snpporti'ng element and wipers in accompaniment with the advancing bottle, means for controlling the wipers, means for retracting the wipersupporting element and wipers to meet the next succeeding bottle, and means for rot-ating said carrier.

'Witncss my hand this 1914;

27th day of July,

FRANK. t). NVOODLAND.

Witnesses CHAS. H. BURLEIGH, CHAS. S. PUTNAM.

by addressing the Commissioner of "Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

